Bible Verse: Colossians 2:22 – precepts and teachings of men

Originally posted on February 04, 2026 – by Andre Piet

Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch.
22 All these are things that perish with use, in accordance with the precepts and teachings of men.

Paul is speaking here about regulations that govern life by means of prohibitions such as: “do not handle, do not taste, do not touch.” This does not remain limited to the physical, but also affects conduct in a broader sense: avoiding, abstaining from, and not coming into contact with. Much of what Paul mentions can be traced back to the law of Moses, as appears from verse 16: food laws, feast days, and sabbaths. These ordinances had a divine origin, but were intended for a specific time and for one people. As soon as they are imposed normatively beyond that, they become teachings of men.

That characterizes religion. Also in its Christianized form. Rules about what one may or may not do on certain days, or what one should avoid in order to remain spiritually pure. Think of obligatory fasting, asceticism, and abstinence, but also of what in Protestantism is known under the heading of Sunday rest — a concept the Scripture does not know.

It all remains external and does not reach beyond the outside. Therefore it has no lasting spiritual value. Whoever is conscious of being complete in Christ stands outside of this.

Delen: